I really enjoyed Defending Your Life, probably Albert Brooks's best film. La Femme Nikita. It is definitely not an easy film to watch, but what is most fascinating in retrospect is how subsequent adaptations watered down the concept. In the original movie, "Nikita" is an anarchist and murderer brainwashed to serve the spy agency. In the American remake, Point of No Return, she's no longer an anarchist, but still a murderer forced to join the spy agency (I don't remember there being any brainwashing in this one). The first TV series downplays both and has her falsely accused of the crimes so that she would "agree willingly" to join the spy agency. Each time, they weaken Nikita's character to fit changing times. There may be nothing wrong with that, but it's still kind of a weird thing to contemplate. Now, I never saw the second TV series adaptation, so I am not sure how they changed her character there. But somehow, I truly doubt she is anything like the character from Luc Besson's original.
Just like with almost every other thing that's ever been made for kids, at some point TMNT turned into a property, something they could sell toys off of. It always happens one way or another, regardless of the creators' intent. Somebody creates something new and different, and it gets twisted by its own success. It's depressing, especially for fans who loved it when it was new and different.
As a 9-year-old boy at its release, I was the main target for TMNT 2. I recall that it felt less bleak and more mysterious than the original. But instead of a payoff to that mystery, it delivered bleak, unfunny Tokka and Razar. (In place of the anticipated comedic mayhem of Rocksteady and Bebop.) And to top it all, Vanilla Ice. Yech! It ain't a good flick. With that said, S&E completely miss the point here. Real teenage boys are generally much more obtuse, more tribal, and less well-meaning than this motley band of misfits. The adolescent behaviour depicted here is gentle satire. What S&E really want to hack away at is the satire's target. Since back when all the world was green, teenage heroes used to have distinct personalities and really stand for something... I'll never forget how edified and inspired I felt leaving each Frankie & Annette matinée.
@@ricardocantoral7672 Nah, teenage boys really are that dumb. I think it's more likely that Siskel & Ebert were disappointed because they felt that the Ninja Turtles could have been better role-models for kids and teens if their personalities weren't so shallow and their behavior so juvenile. While I agree with S&E, the point of the TMNT franchise was to sell toys (and merch). If one desires more grounded and self-aware Turtles, read the original comic books.
@@imcallingjapan2178 Oh I agree. I particularly took issue with the feuding between Leonardo and Raphael in the second movie. It was already done in the first movie and didn't need to be retreaded in the second movie. That and I wish the second movie was Donatello-focused. The writers should have explored Don's existential crisis when he learned that their mutation was just an accidental fluke.
It's because a lot of them have a hard time remembering what it was like to be young. Plus the modern world moves pretty fast, they feel left behind, so they give up trying. Of course, on the flip side, not too many young people are exactly respectful of their elders.
Defending Your Life is a little appreciated gem.
"Go ninja, go ninja, go!"
Ugh, stop it.
Rip Torn was one funny dude. Great in this film!
I really enjoyed Defending Your Life, probably Albert Brooks's best film.
La Femme Nikita. It is definitely not an easy film to watch, but what is most fascinating in retrospect is how subsequent adaptations watered down the concept. In the original movie, "Nikita" is an anarchist and murderer brainwashed to serve the spy agency. In the American remake, Point of No Return, she's no longer an anarchist, but still a murderer forced to join the spy agency (I don't remember there being any brainwashing in this one). The first TV series downplays both and has her falsely accused of the crimes so that she would "agree willingly" to join the spy agency. Each time, they weaken Nikita's character to fit changing times. There may be nothing wrong with that, but it's still kind of a weird thing to contemplate.
Now, I never saw the second TV series adaptation, so I am not sure how they changed her character there. But somehow, I truly doubt she is anything like the character from Luc Besson's original.
Mr. Johnson and La Femme Nikita are good movies.
Just like with almost every other thing that's ever been made for kids, at some point TMNT turned into a property, something they could sell toys off of. It always happens one way or another, regardless of the creators' intent. Somebody creates something new and different, and it gets twisted by its own success. It's depressing, especially for fans who loved it when it was new and different.
I actually the Comfort of Strangers but I get their criticism
As a 9-year-old boy at its release, I was the main target for TMNT 2. I recall that it felt less bleak and more mysterious than the original. But instead of a payoff to that mystery, it delivered bleak, unfunny Tokka and Razar. (In place of the anticipated comedic mayhem of Rocksteady and Bebop.) And to top it all, Vanilla Ice. Yech!
It ain't a good flick.
With that said, S&E completely miss the point here. Real teenage boys are generally much more obtuse, more tribal, and less well-meaning than this motley band of misfits. The adolescent behaviour depicted here is gentle satire. What S&E really want to hack away at is the satire's target.
Since back when all the world was green, teenage heroes used to have distinct personalities and really stand for something... I'll never forget how edified and inspired I felt leaving each Frankie & Annette matinée.
It was made for 10 year olds to have fun TMNT was awesome
Love you Chris
No love for Keno??
Teenage mutant ninja turtles act like teenage boys? Ahhduhhhh
I think both of them give teenaged boys more credit than Hollywood does.
@@ricardocantoral7672
Nah, teenage boys really are that dumb.
I think it's more likely that Siskel & Ebert were disappointed because they felt that the Ninja Turtles could have been better role-models for kids and teens if their personalities weren't so shallow and their behavior so juvenile.
While I agree with S&E, the point of the TMNT franchise was to sell toys (and merch). If one desires more grounded and self-aware Turtles, read the original comic books.
@@JanetStarChild Yeah, but what about character development? after the first movie they should have been a bit less teenage and more ninja
@@imcallingjapan2178
Oh I agree. I particularly took issue with the feuding between Leonardo and Raphael in the second movie. It was already done in the first movie and didn't need to be retreaded in the second movie. That and I wish the second movie was Donatello-focused. The writers should have explored Don's existential crisis when he learned that their mutation was just an accidental fluke.
its funny how the older generation just never understands the younger.
It's because a lot of them have a hard time remembering what it was like to be young. Plus the modern world moves pretty fast, they feel left behind, so they give up trying. Of course, on the flip side, not too many young people are exactly respectful of their elders.